Intro to Coding: Orientation

Colin Pistell
1/20/2016

Why Are You Here?

It used to be that coding was only done by software developers. This is no longer true.

  • The power and flexibility that even a basic understanding of coding gives you makes ALL tasks easier
  • Coding is no longer optional in many areas, including data analytics. It's required.
  • The good news: You can learn enough to be effective in just a few weeks… but it takes practice.

Bottom Line On Top




It all boils down to this: PRACTICE

The Transportation Analogy

Consider your options for transportation. Generally speaking there's a tradeoff between how easy it is to use and how much control you have.

  • Busses are extremely easy: You get on, sit down, wait, and get off.
  • Cars require a lot more - you need to learn how to drive and successfully use those skills every time you go somewhere
  • However, the benefits of cars are obvious: Point-to-point travel on your schedule.

As we learn how to code we are giving up convenience but gaining power and control. A lot of power and control.

Busses


Bus


  • Excel
  • SPSS
  • Don't discount busses. If they go where you want to go they are incredibly convenient!

Trains


Train


  • SAS
  • SQL
  • Alteryx
  • Can be very powerful, but ultimately lack the freedom of coding.

Cars

Civic Ferrari

  • Automatic transmission: The way most people use R
  • Manual transmission: Even more control and power
  • You need to learn to drive stick

Beyond


Xwing


  • Once you're coding, the sky's the limit.
  • It takes a lot of practice
  • …but in return you get to fly an x-wing

My two cents: learn as much as you can

If you want to do real analysis this is what you're in for:

dogfight

So get good. Don't bring a Civic to a Space Dogfight.

You Got This

Poe

Take things one step at a time and you'll be a hacker in no time. To paraphrase Poe, don't let these bullies intimidate you!

Here to help!

shootdown

  • pistell@colorado.edu
  • Try to solve your own problems first. I'm happy to help but we often learn the most when we're solving our own problems.